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| Last veteran of Hood sinking dies | Last veteran of Hood sinking dies |
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| The last remaining survivor of the sinking of WWII battle cruiser HMS Hood in May 1941 has died at the age of 85, his naval association has said. | The last remaining survivor of the sinking of WWII battle cruiser HMS Hood in May 1941 has died at the age of 85, his naval association has said. |
| Ted Briggs, from Hampshire, was one of just three survivors out of more than 1,400 crew after an exchange of fire with the German battleship Bismarck. | Ted Briggs, from Hampshire, was one of just three survivors out of more than 1,400 crew after an exchange of fire with the German battleship Bismarck. |
| When asked about the sinking he said: "I was not a hero, I just survived." | When asked about the sinking he said: "I was not a hero, I just survived." |
| Mr Briggs once said a sighting of HMS Hood as a boy had inspired him to join the Royal Navy as a signalman. | Mr Briggs once said a sighting of HMS Hood as a boy had inspired him to join the Royal Navy as a signalman. |
| The teenager was assigned to HMS Hood, the Royal Navy's flagship, in 1939. | The teenager was assigned to HMS Hood, the Royal Navy's flagship, in 1939. |
| When Bismarck was spotted in the Denmark Strait in May 1941, HMS Hood was sent in pursuit. | When Bismarck was spotted in the Denmark Strait in May 1941, HMS Hood was sent in pursuit. |
| During the Battle of Denmark Strait it was bombarded with shells, one of which caused a huge explosion that ripped through the ship, sinking it in less than three minutes. | |
| In 2001, the wreck of HMS Hood was found 3,000m below the surface of the sea between Greenland and Iceland. | In 2001, the wreck of HMS Hood was found 3,000m below the surface of the sea between Greenland and Iceland. |
| Mr Briggs, who was 18 at the time of the sinking, said he had survived because he was caught in an underwater air pocket. | Mr Briggs, who was 18 at the time of the sinking, said he had survived because he was caught in an underwater air pocket. |
| After a short period of leave following the loss of the ship, Mr Briggs was assigned to another vessel to continue his naval career. | After a short period of leave following the loss of the ship, Mr Briggs was assigned to another vessel to continue his naval career. |
| He served for another 30 years before retiring, later becoming president of HMS Hood Association and an MBE.The Royal Navy's flagship was sent in pursuit of the Bismarck | |
| Mr Briggs died at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth on Saturday, his friend and the chairman of HMS Hood Association, Peter Heys, said. | Mr Briggs died at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth on Saturday, his friend and the chairman of HMS Hood Association, Peter Heys, said. |
| Mr Heys described him as a "perfect gentleman". | Mr Heys described him as a "perfect gentleman". |
| He added: "He was a humorous man but he did not like to be reminded of the sinking as he had to be pulled out of the freezing water." | He added: "He was a humorous man but he did not like to be reminded of the sinking as he had to be pulled out of the freezing water." |
| Mr Briggs is survived by his wife Clare. | Mr Briggs is survived by his wife Clare. |
| Midshipman William Dundas, who died in 1965, and able seaman Bob Tilburn, who died in 1995, were the other survivors of the sinking. | Midshipman William Dundas, who died in 1965, and able seaman Bob Tilburn, who died in 1995, were the other survivors of the sinking. |